Liberation and Rebuilding Women’s Identity in Akachi-Adimora Ezeigbo’s The Last of The Strong Ones

Abstract

The subordination of women remains a big challenge for women in most African countries, where culture and patriarchy dominate women’s freedom, reasoning, and desire to grow. This research therefore examines the liberation and rebuilding of women’s identities in Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo’s The Last of the Strong Ones. Ezeigbo, through this novel, creates a powerful, dynamic female character that are bold, courageous, and fearless when faced with problems, as opposed to the negative representation of women by male writers as second fiddles and insignificant. This study contends that the misrepresentation of the woman in African literature is hinged on the patriarchal nature of traditional African society. The theory adopted in the analysis of our chosen text is the African feminist theory otherwise known as womanism. Womanism recognizes the African man or husbands as the head of the family. It however reminds them that the woman must be recognized and respected as such. Feminist writings in Africa encourage African women to tell their stories from the woman’s point of view. Furthermore, this paper underscores how Ezeigbo creates strong and positive female characters who contribute immensely to their society. The research concludes that women are assertive and achievers, as reprented the numerous roles they play in their communities, as seen in our chosen text.